Caring for Children in Need

Some of the scariest moments in life revolve around a sick child, including deciding when to call the doctor, when to go to the emergency department, what to do if specialty care is necessary, how to obtain medications, etc. These situations escalate when families do not have health insurance or the financial resources available for both immediate care and follow-up measures, which usually results in an endless cycle of episodic care in the emergency department.

The Pediatric Navigator Program

Recognizing the need to serve children, with special attention to the poor and vulnerable, Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast partnered with the Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation in 2009 to hire a dedicated Pediatric Navigator.

The navigator is a specialized social worker who connects pediatric patients and their families with local and regional resources. The navigator can guide and support families with confusing insurance issues, prescription assistance, physician information, difficulties with substance abuse, domestic violence, parenting advice –from birth through the challenging teen years – and any other needs that might come up while at the hospital. The navigator spends time with each family to walk them through the process and ensure their needs are taken care both in and out of the hospital.

The navigator serves as a liaison between the hospital and community agencies to help connect pediatric patients and families to high quality, compassionate follow-up care. The program serves all pediatric patients regardless of race, creed or financial status.

SHHEC is very fortunate to have the full-support of The Children's Hospital at Sacred Heart in Pensacola, which houses the region’s only Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. The Children's Hospital at Sacred Heart has a partnership with Nemours Children's Clinic, providing highly experienced pediatric physicians with more than 15 subspecialties for children's care. Our experienced team provides care to children of families throughout Northwest Florida and South Alabama.